Forgotten Stars Vol. 1

Tonight's spotlight is on the criminally underrated star of stage and screen, Donald O' Connor.
 (A.K.A. My 1940's crush. LOL!)
Born into a vaudeville family, not surprisingly he started out as a child star
(alongside the likes of Bing Crosby, in 1938's Sing You Sinners).
He then sang and danced his way through a series of B-musicals in the '40s
(often backed by the wonderful supporting team of Peggy Ryan and Gloria Jean)
until he was drafted into the United States Army,
causing him to temporarily put his acting career on hold.

When he returned to the silver screen, he co-started as a supporting actor in such A list movies as "Singin' In The Rain", "There's No Business Like Show Business", "I Love Melvin" and "Anything Goes" with cast members such as Marilyn Monroe, Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, and Ethel Merman. He also starred in the first few "Francis The Talking Mule" films. After getting sick from the mule, he was forced to pass up a major role in the holiday classic "White Christmas" which went on to Danny Kaye. In 1954, he joined the small screen with his own short lived sitcom "The Donald O' Connor Show", lasting only one season. After doing some more movies, he had another TV show in 1968 (this time it was a syndicated talk show). He was in even more late career films and made guest appearances on television, as well as participating in Broadway theatre plays and hosting the Academy Awards®. He continued to make public appearances until his death at age 78 in 2003.

Interesting Tidbits:
~ His name appears on a marquee billboard in the essential ratpack movie "Ocean's 11" (1960) and also in "Meet Me in Las Vegas" (1956)
~ He was a good friend of Judy Garland since childhood,
before either of them were even famous!

It's a shame how underappreciated he is.
I think he was so cute when he was young and not to mention, immensely talented!

Who is YOUR favorite 'forgotten star'?
Any ideas for Volume 2?
Comment below!